Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Competitions, tests, ice shows and exhibitions have kept the Steamboat Springs Figure Skating Club on the road and on the ice during the past four months.

The season started with Team Volant's championship showing at the synchronized skate team sectional competition in San Diego on Jan. 30.

Several weeks later, 26 skaters traveled to Pueblo for the first singles competition of the season, taking 14 top-three finishes.

The annual Denver Invitational was the next top. Sixteen young girls took part in the event and skated well under adverse conditions, coach Kim Haggarty said.

A mechanical breakdown caused the ice to melt, leaving about 2 inches of water on the surface. The event went forward as scheduled.

Lauren Ventrudo took second in her short program, while Jenny Spencer came in fourth.

The Ft. Collins Skate Fest, held March 28-30, wrapped up the competitive four-month swing for the local club.

Ten girls traveled to the Front Range, with Carlee McLaughlin taking top honors.

She received first-place marks in the freeskate, compulsory moves and spins categories.

Jessie Cannon received second place in the spins and compulsory moves. Amber Sachs, Rachel Ivancie, Sabra Severinghaus, Brittainy Slade and Janna Anderson all received at least one third-place mark in one of three categories.

"We fit an unbelievable amount of events in such a short amount of time," Haggarty said.

In addition to the competitions, the Figure Skating Club put on "The Grinch" over Christmas break and a mid-winter exhibition in February showcasing both local talent and national and international skaters from the Front Range.

The club is currently preparing for its annual spring show, to be held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Howelsen Ice Arena.

"This is a great opportunity to see how much improvement there has been with the local skaters," Haggarty said.

The theme this year is "A Night at the Movies" and guest skaters from the Front Range will be on hand again.

--To reach Melinda Mawdsley call 871-4208

or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com